Since we’re all going to be busy these next few days, I thought I’d wait until after Thanksgiving to draw the name of our lucky winner and 
make sure everyone has had time to sign up for our Giveaways (there are two, scroll down to next post to read about them) ~ this allows everyone to BE the actual winner for a little bit longer. Until the bitter truth is revealed by our in-house bitter-truth revealer, Vanna, when she draws the winning name. Until then, maybe a blog filled with photos of all kinds of holiday decorating? And MUSICA?
But first off, speaking of honey. Look at us, we’ve got almost 1800 comments on the last post and everyone of them is a pure jewel.♥ If you ever feel sad about the world, which is easy to do these days, read the comments on this blog and it will cheer you up. I sit here and cry when I read your 
words of encouragement and kindness ~ you’ll never know ~ and when I read that you’re waiting for a tornado to pass, that you’re raising three rowdy boys and a husband, that you have Chinese friends, or you are Chinese, that you are from everywhere, Mexico, Germany, England, The Netherlands, that you have tea parties for your girlfriends and read to your moms. You are true Fairy Tale girls, getting through surgery, new knees and chemotherapy; nursing, celebrating and remembering loved ones, sharing 
the things that make you feel grateful, cuddling your pets and your children, watching old movies for strength (Little Women makes the MOST wonderful background sounds while you are rolling out pie crust btw), laughing about how your daughters race to change the calendar page each month. You stop mopping the floor to read Willard, you love Gingerbread tea, and you send blessings to each OTHER ~ yes, you do that ~ you even talk Arf and Arfy to me now. Your Christmas cookbooks have magazine articles tucked into them, you love Louisa May 
Alcott, you love wearing your elf charm with the card that says: Go. Be. Love. The World Needs You. And that’s just the beginning of the beauty of YOU.♥ Thank you so so SO much. You reaffirm my forever belief that the world is filled with wonderful, good-hearted, loving people. If you need any reaffirming yourself, I encourage you to read these comments. And leave one yourself, if you haven’t already. All comments from these two posts will be entered into the drawing. Oh yes, and thank you from the bottom of my pea pickin’ heart. I wob you too.
Now, down to business Girlfriends: let’s talk about tablecloths and silverware, place cards and table settings, shall we? (Would like to Un-invent spell check, so far we have table scares and silver wipes.)
Here is my dining room on a relatively calm day. No big projects on the table, but you can see it’s the holidays because I have paperwhites on the window sills. The calm before the storm.
This was a table setting for New Year’s Eve a few years back . . . champagne corks for place cards . . . and old books, and old glassware I’ve collected over the years.
And here I am thinking about tablecloths and bread baskets . . .(for some reason I’ve been singing this song all week, now it will be your turn!)
And here is Girl Kitty trying out the tablecloth . . . Oh yes, I have lots of help! Don’t think I do any of this all by myself.
And here is the table set for Thanksgiving. I use all our mix-and-match smaller chairs in order to get more people around the table . . . two at each end, so we can serve 14 here. I like it best when people are a little bit squashed together. The party is more lively that way! Secrets can be told! And little bouquets, all the way down the table, so no one has to peer through flowers.
You all know what a china and linen fiend I am, just like so many of you! It’s the never-ending quest for beauty. I love setting the table more than I love cooking! The cooking is the support system for the table setting!
The painting is the support system for the cooking. It’s all tied together.♥
We have three “eating places” inside the house. This table is in the living room, for when it’s pouring snow and when we want to have a small cozy dinner in front of a crackling fire.
Here it is, all draped and ready, pillows on the chairs for a comfy dining experience. You’ll note that I don’t really care if everything matches perfectly. The red tablecloth on the bottom, by the way, is an old bedspread.
Here we are in the kitchen for a casual dinner and no tablecloth, with napkins that don’t have to be ironed. But the candles are lit, the cute bread basket is there, the mugs I got years ago at Dansk in Carmel, the iron candle sticks I found in an antique store, and the heavy pottery pieces I bought way back when, done by Santa Margarita (CA) artist Paula Teplitz in the 1970s. You wouldn’t believe how I would haunt craft shows looking for her work. I found everything one piece at a time. Each is different and all depict animals and nature.
Oh my! I just decided to Google her and see if she was still around. And she is! Go here and “like” Paula . . . this will be a total surprise for her! I don’t think she knows how much I loved her things and still do. ♥
I still set the table with Paula’s creations. Or bake pies in them.
Speaking of setting the table ~ This is how my grandmother taught me to do it at Thanksgiving when I was little, except in those days it was much simpler, only one fork, not two, and one glass and the one glass was for MILK (mmmm, a big glass of ice cold milk? YUM! I can hear the eeeewes from here). And the napkin goes on the left.
Sometimes I get so excited to take the picture, I do it before I should. Here I’ve already lit the candles (on the bedspread) while I’m trying out glasses. Ignore the napkin placement, it doesn’t stay that way . . . thank you.
See? Sooner or later I do figure out where the napkin goes! I love a romantic, old-fashioned table, one that brings back memories we’ve maybe never even had.
You’ve probably noticed, candlelight makes everything more beautiful. BTW, be sure to take photos of your table. I’m often so busy I forget, and now I wish I had them all! (See Girl Kitty, under the table?)
Candlelight puts a twinkle on everything at the table including into the eyes of the people you love. And of course, don’t forget the MUSICA.
And of course, I’m a big one for quotes, no matter where I am!
I think books make the MOST interesting table decorations and use them all the time, this is a set of Shakespeare we found in an antique store (I must sound like a broken record, but the truth is we rarely buy anything new). The corks are from other memorable parties. I’ll tell you about 
those leather baby shoes in my new book Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams . . . I found them in my first house, they’re part of a magical mystery. You realize that I’ve told you all about what happened before I went to Martha’s Vineyard, and lots about after I got here in my books and on my blog, but not very much about the five interesting years after I first arrived on the Island in 1982, totally unprepared for pretty much everything, and until I met Joe in 1987. We’re about to change all of that. In words and pictures.
Oops, books. As decor. Yes . . .
Thanksgiving is a good time to evoke memories with cookbooks and an old recipe box. Little bowls of faux fruit and wooden spoons, why not? As I always say, shop the house for table decor.
This romantic setting was for a Valentine’s Day party.
All books work: Christmas books, old fairy tale books, 
garden books, books on tea, bird books, 
children’s books, books of poetry, wildflower books, books by favorite authors, even songbooks ~ all make wonderful companions at the dinner table.
We use this old set of Charles Dickens for Christmas (plus some of Joe’s childhood books).
Old Christmas books are perfect in front of the fire for a Christmas Tea. You can see them here, emitting comfort from their very presence.
They also fit well with my small collection of house candles . . . because ♥ home is where my heart is.♥
And now? Place cards . . . just a few little easy ideas . . . because place cards are a very nice thing to have. That way people know where to go, no bumbling around the table. Something I did once for a buffet but unfortunately did not take pictures of: I enlarged cute and funny pictures of all the guests on my copier and used them for place mats instead of place cards. When they came to the table with their filled plates, they knew just where to go.
So easy if you are a champagne-cork saver . . . This way all your past memories join with the ones you’ll be making at the dinner table.
They almost make themselves. I just used scissors with a decorative edge (from Michaels Crafts) to cut out the cards and the wires on the corks did the rest of the work.
Leaves, from the yard. Beyond easy, almost cheating. I used a whiteout pen to write Joe’s name on this nice thick rhododendron leaf.
And they can be small and simple . . . A watercolor brush and readable handwriting is all you need for this little card. I try to write the names big enough and dark enough so people can see them without their glasses!
Now of course, you need the fastest way possible to shine up the silver, right? You really don’t feel like sitting there all day polishing it piece by piece . . . so here’s what you do. (Click and be amazed.)
And maybe your wooden spoons are dried out and almost splintery looking? Can’t have that. So easy to keep them dark and buttery . . . Use a pasty brush to coat the wood with mineral oil ~ let it soak in and voila! You can read more about your wooden things HERE. P.S. My dad carved the Sue spoon.♥
Most of the time, my house is decorated rather simply, unless it’s the holidays or we are having a party. The living room, in real life, is almost naked.
I change pillows and quilts for the season and leave room for flowers. It’s a little like a movie set.
Because flowers change everything.They are really the only decoration you need. Maybe some nice votives too.
A little bouquet here and there cheers everything up, don’t you think?
My bread basket cheers me up too. I found it at a flea market, zeroed in on it, mine, so mine. It is the little things! Now, don’t think you have to do ALL of this, or even any of it. Mostly, you know, it’s just about the gravy. And having fun. And hugging the people you love. Now, a couple of last things before I go, something you should all be aware of ~ There are:
And let’s talk about Black Friday, which is the perfect day for a stroll in nature. . .and if not a stroll, then perhaps a little sit. How they ever made the day after Thanksgiving dedicated to spending money I will never understand. So, turn your Black Friday into Earth Green . . .
This is the perfect place to pray for our world because even the smallest voice can be heard from here. How can people fight over television sets in discount stores when there is this?
and this ~
and this?
XOXO With love forever from me to you . . .from this House of Creativity to yours . . . now about to celebrate its 166th Thanksgiving.♥
P.S. For anyone who might have missed WILLARD (with all the newest news), click there. And if you’d like to have Willard emailed to you in the future, click here to sign up.♥
Good Morning, Susan! Thanks for all of the beautiful visual images, and for sharing your simple, yet stunning, tablescapes. Happy Thanksgiving!
.. good morning sweet Sue and all you peaceful loving friends !!..yes, a very big part of enjoying your posts are reading all of the heart-felt comments !!..such kindred-spirited-ness.( lol..is that even a word ?!? )..thank you for the “never ending quest for beauty” !!.. this post shows the epitomy of charm !!.. ‘wishing every happiness to you all during this wonderful time of year !!.. Happy Thanksgiving !!.. i am so grateful !..sincerely….
Oh again so much inspiration can’t contain it! Thank you bunches. Love the silver tip gonna give it a try. The four stages of life…I got hung up on # 1…you mean there’s more?
Lisa in Pa.
No, actually, there’s not. xoxo
I have never believed those rumors that there is no Santa. Just don’t believe it!
I love, love, love your blog. I’ve never let a comment before, but I am now. I love looking at all your pictures. Your home is just beautiful. I agree, setting the table is the most fun, even though I love to cook. I love the idea of decorating the table with books. I use to be a reading teacher and librarian, why didn’t I think of that! Thank you for the place card ideas. I was stuck, but now I am going to go collect pine cones and leaves outside. Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you. I love the east coast, but have never been. I’m too scared to fly. I have lived in Houston all my 45 years, so I’ve never experienced the four seasons. Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!
Happy to see you here Dionne! I don’t fly, I take the train…it’s a wonderful way to go! Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, to have a walk down that tree lined path… a bit of Heaven on Earth! I can smell Autumn from here. So few people take time to be “fancy” and set a proper table these days… I think you are the BEST person to bring it back into style!
I agree with you Emie. Ever since my daughter and I binge watched the first 4 seasons of Downton Abbey last Christmas, we decided we needed to eat fancier. 🙂 So we now use our “Downton” glasses every night at dinner. They are so delicate and makes us hold our pinkies a little bit straighter. 🙂
Good morning, Sue! What a pleasure to read this post from you this pre-Thanksgiving Sunday!
Your pictures illustrate a warm, welcoming, and comforting home. Love your table settings, and wish our dining room had space for a larger table like yours. We find we are able to squeeze eight around our table, lending possibilities of sharing secrets at that.:-)
We will have 7, possibly 9, to fit around that table at some point during this coming Thanksgiving week-end. I made “your” oven cranberry sauce yesterday and have more cooking to do in the next few days. Our “company” will be here several days, so there are lots of meals to have prepared, with gluten-free items under consideration as well. One daughter has been found to be gluten-intolerant.
Yes, the world definitely needs a very healthy dose of love about now. No “Black Friday” shopping for us here! Planning to enjoy the outdoors!
Sending along the very best wishes for a day in which you find yourself surrounded by love, joy, and peace!
xo Nellie
A Sunday Afternoon Treat from Susan! Hello there! Howdy!
I have loved this little tour around place settings and tablescapes so much. It makes my heart sing to see the love and memories, the future hopes of each piece carefully selected and used, and pretty tables set for a gathering of friends sharing food and drink. There is no better thing in life, well, maybe long walks along the shore or in the woods, and curling up by a roaring fire on a Winter’s day with a good book and a mug of steaming tea and a bar of chocolate. You get the drift ~~~
I’m in the ‘eeeeeew’ category with milk. Sorry. Have never liked the stuff, but happily drink coconut or almond milk. My latest discovery is warm, spice infused milk ~ just warm a mug full of milk in a pan with 1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom and simmer for five mins, strain into a mug and enjoy. So warming, so comforting! Any milk is fine 😉
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Big Water~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Amen!! Spend Friday OUTSIDE. When I lived in Ohio we always went to Galehouse Christmas Tree Farm and walked the acres and acres of trees to pick out the perfect Christmas Tree. Even our dog went with us. I miss that.
We had our first fire last night, it is 26 here this morning! There is just a slight smell of wood smoke in the house….I think it’s lovely.
Love, love, love the idea of a small table in the living room to eat in front of the fireplace. Hmmm, I have the perfect spot!
Also, because of you Susan, I finally got some of the old silverware out and started using it everyday. I must admit it is not bright and shining and polished looking like yours, but I think it has a lovely patina and it gives me such joy to use it. Thank you!
Did you happen to see that REI, a outdoor clothing store, announced they will be closed Thanksgiving and Black Friday. They are encouraging their employees to go outside and play. I have never shopped with them before, but they will be getting some of my holiday dollars this year. Good for them!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Chris
Love that about REI!! Love you too Chris! 🙂
ME TOO! Yea, REI💕
Galehouse Trees! Now I’m really homesick , Chris! NEXT year, though, I hope to go there to get our own. It’s been so many years since I’ve been there. I hope they still have hot chocolate!
Susan, this post just makes me feel warm. I love the coziness of books and quilts and cats. And such pretty tables!
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
I am sure they still have hot chocolate. But I remember any tree, any size was $20, I am sure that is no longer the price! 🙂
But it is such a grand time, the quest for the perfect tree!
Yes, life should be more like the movies! LOVE your tablescapes & dishes … my favorite part of entertaining. When the table is set I feel ready 🙂 The house’s 166th Thanksgiving … WOW. Ours is just having it’s 113th … a young lady compared to yours! About time to start the stuffing girlfriends ♥ Happy Thanksgiving ya’ll ♥ xoxo
Alas, we won’t be home for Thanksgiving so I’m starting to decorate the home for Christmas. So much fun! Love the way you set your tables. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
hi susan !! Ever since I first saw that picture of the table setting with the heavy pottery dishes, I have been on the hunt for them! They are stunningly beautiful and now I have a name and some background to help me….THANK YOU!! I love them… I actually thought I unearthed them at a favorite shop of mine ( in St.Charles, MO no less!) but turns out they were not what I had hoped for…. still lovely pottery but not what I now know is Teplitz. I will continue the hunt. Been preparing for Thanksgiving at my house too so I adore the inspiring photos and table setting ideas in your post. I always read all of the Girlfriend ( and Blog Daddy !) comments and I bet some will share their own personal ideas and traditions. I am truly grateful to be counted among this blog as “Girlfriend” and feel that we are all the better for our time spent here. I count your blog and our Girlfriends as one of my many blessings….and am inspired by all of it each day. So thank you thank you!!! <3 I hope you and those you love have a special Thanksgiving celebration and I, for two, ( husband too), will enjoy Black Friday over the river and through the woods….xo love, cindy
Totally lovely post! Just the homey words I needed this morning as I am “fix in’ ” to go to church! Take care y’all…Becky in Oklahoma
💛💚💜❤️💛💚💜❤️💛💚💓💗💗💗Thank you, I love the Thanksgiving holiday, family, friends, love, giving of yourself, memories, time for all to stop and reflect. And Black Friday ( now is my house is named Green Friday☺️) and shop- giving( not a word, but retailers are making it one) are cutting into the one holiday that truly is an American holiday. Thank you for giving the gift of yourself to us. 💗 family and friends.
Susan….so good for the soul to see your blog this morning….as my rescue Golden lays at my feet, patiently waiting her breakfast….I loved your photo’s but especially appreciated your Black Friday words…..and the reminder to perhaps do something differently for the world, for ourselves, and to continue our thankfulness in nature…a reminder that peace begins within….thank you for that…..I am thankful that you are in the world…..
Thanks for this wonderful post this morning and thanks for the recipe to clean silverware. I really need to do that as mine is looking very, very bad these days.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and the cats!
Good morning, Sue — How nice to see this unexpected post! And how wonderful for you to share your ideas and photos with us! Every room and table filled with love!
I always use “real” polish on my Mom’s (now my) silver, and remembering all the special occasions for which we used them as I polished. But, I’m going to try your method on my “everyday” silver-plate cutlery. I hope it works as well on silver-plate as it does on the real stuff! I had in the back of my mind a similar method, but thought there was baking soda or baking powder in the water, in addition to the salt. Guess not, since your method seems to work! Thanks!
Please use caution with this method of silver cleaning. I have used it with good results when in a rush, but ONE TIME I unknowingly put some antique gold plated berry spoons in with the other silver and the gold plating was transferred to my sterling silver flatware. YIKES! So I asked my husband who is a jeweler about using this method to clean silverplate and he said it would turn the silver pieces BLACK! Hope you haven’t already done this…
Thanks for the warning, Michelle! I had already tried Sue’s method and it worked fine, except there was one black mark on the bowl of one of the spoons, so… Maybe it depends on the thickness of the plating or the newness…? I probably won’t try it again, though. Better safe than sorry! Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving!
I bet those books have the most delicious old-book-aroma to them. Anybody else love to smell old books?
I do!
Yes, here’s another ” wierd” person who likes to smell old books!! I’m so glad to know I’m not alone….!!
Nicoline
Oh, me, too! It’s one of the best aromas around!
Me too… love the smell of books from the library also…
I DO !!!!!
I love the smell of books & adore the smell of libraries!❤️
I love the smell of books & adore the smell of libraries!❤️ This was meant for one of your girlfriends 👯.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful tips -& your gorgeous table settings ! I like to imagine as I walk through virtually your warm & cozy abode –the rich smells of each room …. We lived in a lovely bungalow built in 1945-our first home ❤️. That was 41 years ago now ….and we owned 3 other newer homes in between , none had the earthy aromas I so enjoyed while living in that bungalow . It had a pie cupard & a milk delivery cupard –that l so loved !(there was a time when milk was delivered to homes in the 1950’s) … I used it for my garden gloves -shears-string ,etc.. It had such a lovely old garden as well with orange trees & lemon trees & a beautiful old rose garden . It’s funny my daughter -now 41 –still dreams of that old very tiny cottage 😊
I agree with you Susan – most people are truly good -kind & loving human beings –it’s difficult when horrific -and evil actions occur at the hand of a group of corrupt individuals .
Thanks for your inspiration -have a blessed Thanksgiving 🍂🍗🦃 🍁🍂🍁 Penny
I do, too!! I ADORE old books! Not only the smell, but the way they look, AND to read them, too!
Absolutely! And, my fellow scrapbookers laugh at me when I sit and SMELL my new PAPER…I LOVE the smell of some new scrapbook papers too!
Hello Susan, I’m from an island across the country near Seattle. Greetings! I thank-you so much for your blog which cheers me when I’m blue. Right now, in the evening I’m reading Fairy Tale Girl before bed. May you be buoyed up this holiday season. I am.
I so loved this post! I was sitting here stressing and writing the lists for Thanksgiving grocery shopping and you have once again inspired me to remember the beauty of each holiday. Thank you.
This blog was a feast for the eyes and comfort for the soul that evokes soooo much LOVE. I Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am filled with such JOY from you and all the girl friends here. Sue this experience is so unique and you created the beautiful atmosphere that is here , BRAVO, my sweet friend. There is so much to be Thankful for…………Hug the kitties and Joe for me and you too! Sincerely , Wendy-Louise oxoxoxox
hi Susan just finished reading you’re Willard so much fun and I love jack cats are wonderful must be so nice to take your walk through the woods down to the shore fall was my favorite time growing up in Connecticut(I live in Orlando now)so seeing all your pictures brings back such happy memories have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Good morning Susan,
Love the wonderful pictures of your homey home!
Thanks for sharing. Life is good.
Well, you’ve done it again! I just can’t seem to come up with the words to describe how reading your blog and seeing your pictures makes me feel. Books, quotes, kitties, china, quilts…on and on…it all makes my blood pressure go down twenty points, I’m just sure. As soon as I finish this comment, I’m going to give my daughter the link to your blog. Then I’m going to sit for a while longer and re-read blog and study the pictures. I’m so happy that you share your life with your readers.
Diane in North Carolina
Oh Susan, This post was the bomb! I am so excited to drag out the china and silver and go to it for the Thanksgiving table for Thursday! Never thought of old books. What a wonderful idea! But of course, our sweetheart of decorating comes to our rescue for a new idea for our turkey table. As the other girlfriend said, you allow us to live out our lives a lot thru you there in a Heavenly place that some of us will maybe never get to visit except thru you. Thank you for your wonderful recipes, table settings, decorating ideas to share, and love to share for this Thanksgiving season. Hope you and Joe and all the girlfriends have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for.
Judy Ann
Sending best wishes to you and Joe, Girl Kitty and Jack for a wonderful, peaceful and loving holiday! Thank you for all of the beauty and good cheer you bring into our lives. With all of the tragedy happening in the world today, it is such a blessing to come here and breathe in the peace, good will and love that you share with us! Happy Thanksgiving to all the girlfriends and like minded people who gather together here! XO
Dear Susan, There’s so much I would like to say today after looking at your beautiful post! After your last post I said that picture of L.M. Alcott’s house made my heart leap. Well, today it was the wide picture of your charming, sweet, perfect dining room! I think I’ll go back and stare at that a lot! I also kept thinking, “who needs food?” I put climbing rose wallpaper in my daughter’s room before I brought her home from the hospital. She’s a teenager now, but it’s still there, along with her Beatrix Potter figurines and books from my generous mom. Kindred spirits, I would say💗.
I also have been thinking how horrible this Thanksgiving shopping has become. I purchased new appliances the other day, and do you know, my salesman (who is sixty something) said he had to leave the celebration on Thanksgiving because their store opens at six p.m.?! I almost cried. Please people, don’t go!!! Maybe the insanity will end if we never go and if we voice our opinions. He is NOT ALLOWED to ask off! The only people who should be working are those special people dedicated to saving lives and they should be paid very well!
Susan, a lot of people do horrible things because that is all they ever learned. You are helping to “unlearn” those things in people and put inside of them beauty and appreciation instead. Thank you for giving beauty to many. I hope the people who need it most see it and are changed. There is hope. And thank God for his mercy.
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan!
The interesting thing is that we almost think we have no choice the way the world is run, but I think we do.
Totally agree. I think sometimes we have a vision of something so beautiful and miraculous and we begin the work of bringing it to fruition in our lives and in the world and we get tired because it takes a while to see the fruit of our labor. But we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up! We can’t lose faith. Other lives will benefit because of our faith❤️
My daughter, mother of two young children, works at Sears and she has to go to work Thanksgiving evening at 6, also, work until midnight, and then go back to work the following morning at 7!! 🙁
Ridiculous and wrong on every level and even anti-family and I would even go further and say even Anti-American unless money is all we’re about now. It’s really up to us. We have to figure out how to boycott those stores.
I can’t believe anyone would get up from their Thanksgiving meal and go shopping! I am sure big box stores like Target, Sears and Lowe’s don’t notice that I do not shop at their stores because of their policy. But I refuse to spend ANY money in a store that disrupts an employee’s Thanksgiving Day. One year I even sent emails to every box store that opened Thanksgiving Day. I simply do not know what the answer is.
It’s us. And we are doing our best. And should be happy for that, and teach our kids and speak up. They have us in some sort of a buying thing these days, how many new iPhones does there really have to be? Not to worry, to enjoy what we have while we have it. xoxo
Chris I do that every year, even more now as the store stay open or reopen for Thanksgiving and I find it criminal to force employees to leave families and their celebrations and dinner to go to work for greed shoppers who just can’t wait to go shopping for those so-called deals. I find it disgusting and the more we start protesting and letting them know we won’t shop and spend our Christmas dollars in their stores because they stay open on Thanksgiving they stop this nonsense. I have already let the retailers around our area know how I feel about opening up on Thanksgiving and forcing their employees to abandon families and their dinner to come back to work, and I let them know I refuse to spend my dollars in their store and I stick to it, I shop the smaller mom and pop stores around town for holiday gifts and items instead. supports the local merchants and I get some unique and interesting gifts as a result.. a win-win situation.
I’m ALL for that Pat!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and all the girlfriends, too. We had a snowstorm yesterday so are digging out today. Well, who am I kidding? My husband is digging out. Me – well I’m enjoying the view, reading your blog and making tea. Loved the dear sweet shoes – can’t wait to hear more about them. Black Friday is drifting over the border to us in Canada. Because I shop vintage all year long, I’m pretty well finished my Christmas shopping. Now I can focus on the wrapping part which I love. We’ve decided to have a tabletop tree this year in a Victorian style. We dug up a tree here in the country and will take it home with us, then plant it. No tree is chopped down on my watch, lol. Hugs.
What a gorgeous dining room and table settings. I know all your guests feel so welcome when they come to you! Making pretty tables is important to me too and love this season when lighted candles bring warmth to our interiors.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As one who never wants to recover from her dish addiction (and the thrill of the hunt), I love photos of your table set for dinner So! And lunch. Even breakfast.
This past week, I figured out how to put a small wreath on my kitchen window, after admiring your decorating. It all came about after I had extra Command Velcro Strips left from agh earring two vintage trays to the wall. Hmmm… These would work in the kitchen. 😉 Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Sorry about the weird Spell Check stuff…
I’ve go it too!
adhering?
I think I always begin my comments with, “What a joy”! But – What a joy to wake up to a new blog post!!
Your table settings are wonderful! I DO wonder how you have enough storage space for all your wonderful dishes. I struggle with that – especially since I have a very small kitchen with little cupboard space. Do you have space in the attic or the basement dedicated to storage for all those special place settings and tea accessories? And I agree that a person can never really have too many dishes or too much glassware!
AND – Your idea for Black Friday is such a good one!! There really isn’t anything in any store worth fighting over – especially at the crack of dawn on the day after a lovely family holiday!
Our Black Friday will be spent in transit to a family get-together at the beach! We may even travel through the night in order to have more time with children and grandchildren. Much better than shopping – even if the weather will be crisp, The shopping will be done sometime in December as well as the decorating for Christmas. My December magazines are even waiting to take their place on the coffee table until after Thanksgiving. Let’s make fall last as long a possible!!
Have a wonderful holiday – I know you will! And thank you for all the beautiful table decorating ideas!! XOXO
I have lots of handy hutches! They kind of line the walls around here. I need them for not only dishes but for photo albums and books!
Oh, Susan, your tables are beautiful!! You have given me tremendous inspiration for Thursday’s big turkey event! I love the placecards in the corks! Today begins the shopping, spilled into tomorrow, and then let the fun begin. Cooking, cooking and more cooking! I love it all! I totally agree with you about Black Friday, I would much rather enjoy my leftovers and begin the Christmas decorating and the great outdoors! Blessings to you, Joe and the kitties for a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am thankful for YOU!
Thank you Gail! Enjoy!
Beautiful table settings! I’ve been meaning to write to tell you how much I loved The Fairy Tale Girl and can’t wait for “the rest of the story” as I believe Paul Harvey used to say. So many relatable things right down to the calendar you had on your kitchen wall on pg.151. Of course now I only have had YOUR calendars since about 1990 something. My heart skipped a beat when you mentioned Elton John’s “Rocket Man” My “make out song” ..first kiss..June 16th,1972. I was 17. So many things the same. Shaking my head while reading saying to myself. I know..I know!! My sister and I also had a secret language that we taught our friends only it was called gidda gidda. Sue would be saddagu. Cindy would be Cadda gin dada gee. Home would be haddgome. My brothers and parents never caught on but friends picked it right up. On my way now to The Holly Tour in Westfield NY which is four old homes decorated to the nines for Christmas and on display for all of us like minded voyuers who like to see what people have and how the decorate with it. Love to you and all of your coziness!!
Hearing about so many different languages that I didn’t know about! We are just not EVER alone! 🙂 Have fun at the houses Cindy! Sounds like fun. It’s raining here, we’re going with friends to an afternoon movie and then out to dinner!
What movie did you see?
Suffragette. I knew the story of how the first women, it was in England, got the vote, so I was steeling myself for the violence, but they were so brave of course I cried. And there was a bonus, despite the seriousness of the subject, the scenes in London, and the hats were wonderful.
Oh, I really want to see that!! Thanks for your recommendation!
Good Morning Sue! I absolutely LOVE this post you’ve done. I too, love table lines and dishes. Being outside of Sturbridge MA, and having friends whose homes are from the 1700’s, I have been really influenced by their primitive, early decorating. However my mother was more traditional so I am sort of torn between the two. I really love flowery napkins from Ralph Lauren and place mats and tablecloths as well. I don’t have many sets of dishes but have been yearning for the Johnson Brother’s Old Bradbury transfer ware. I especially love blue and white dishes from England, where I was born. It’s so neat to see your tables and make mental notes about how to do mine. Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a marvelous and joyous Thanksgiving! xo Tracy
You too Tracy!
I have run out of words for you Susan, now only my overflowing heart!!!!!
xoxo Thank you Angie, love you back!
Susan,
I’m such a fan and want to say to you, this is my favorite blog. I love the look of your house and have enjoyed the photos so much. I’m like many others and just love old houses and everything about them.
Does your house have any odd little rooms that had uses for things we wouldn’t use it for today? Do you have corner, ornate wall moldings (did I say that right?)?
I also love all of your old dishes, table cloths……. and so many lovely things. This was a special treat for me from a very special lady.
I wish you a blessed Thanksgivings.
Kay
We have a small room at the top of the stairs that would be perfect to give piano lessons in, if I could play the piano, which I can’t so I made it into a sewing room. It’s really just a very large hallway . . . with three doors in and out of it. And the other “different” room is the the pantry. Which is very large, has an extra fridge, washer and dryer and lots of shelves for big bowls and canned things and a door to the outside.
Thank you for having this peaceful respite to come to and get away from the anxieties of the world today. Loved all the table settings but I have to remind all the girlfriends not to overload their kitchen cabinets with heavy dishes. I lost so many treasured and family dishes when my 3 door cabinet fell off the wall on Sep 1. It will finally be replaced on Nov 30. Polish pottery did me in. It is so heavy and I had so many plates and casserole dishes.
That must have made a terrible crash . . . were you home? I’m so sorry!
I was about one foot away, sitting at the breakfast bar. Thought it was an earthquake! As I swept up the broken dishes with my wonderful neighbor’s help, all I could think about was the memories and people associated with each piece. Dishes are replaceable.
You are so right. Oh my, you were so close. Terrible thing to happen!
Ann, save the broken dishes to make a mosaic table top, or tuck some of the larger pieces in among flowers in your garden. They are too lovely even broken, to throw away. There are lots of ideas online. What a frightening experience!
Happy Sunday, Susan! Your blog is a joy each time I read (and re-read) it. I’ve always loved old things and wondered why they strike such a cord with me, and then I read this post. What you said really touched me because I’ve been doing it for years without knowing it — “bringing back memories we’ve maybe never even had”. That’s it exactly! Thanks for sharing so much of your life and joys with us all. I wish you and Joe and the kitties a Happy Thanksgiving as we all squish together around the table.
Thanks Deb!!
Good Sunday afternoon, Susan! What a happy surprise to find your post this morning! Thanks for sharing all your joys and home and creativity with us this week before Thanksgiving. Inspiration by the breadbasket-ful! ♥♥♥ And perfect for a quiet overcast day here. I just love that picture of Girl “helping” with the tablecloth placement – don’t you just love cats??? I’m currently reading “A Gift from Bob”, How a street cat helped one man learn the meaning of Christmas. A movie about Bob and James, his owner, is currently filming in London, and Joanne Froggatt is in it! Happy Thanksgiving again to you and yours – thanks for the smiles and inspiration all year! You are a true gem, Susan, and we love you! Blessings from our house to yours ♥
And blessings to you Mari!
What a wonderful post! I love setting the table for company and you’ve given me some new ideas for decorating. I was the lucky recipient of a bedspread made in 1850. My mother-in-law always used it on her table on Thanksgiving and now we do as well. I also inherited some ecru linen napkins edged with tatting that look splendid on the old tablecloth/bedspread.
I’ve just finished The Fairy Tale Girl and pre-ordered the next volume. I think I’ll send my copy of The Fairy Tale Girl on to my wonderful pen pal that I met on your Facebook page. It is so much fun getting letters from a new friend! Thank you for offering that match up service.
Hope to see you at The Kings English in Salt Lake City next spring.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love that so many have found pen pals! Thank you Elizabeth!
Dear Susan, I love every thing in every one of your messages – you always share several things that spark a dear memory, or inspire me to get up and get going in a creative direction, or encourage me to just get up and get going! This morning you reminded me how much I love planning and decorating the Holiday table for my family and friends and how blessed I am in the preparation for those treasured hours spent together. You reminded me how much I love searching yard sales and second-hand shops where I’ve found those items that bring their years of history to add to the warm welcome of my home. You reminded me how much I love and need my walks through the autumn outdoors (your photos and descriptions bring the sounds and scents and feel of your home-to-the-woods-to-the-sea walk through the net and out my moniter screen every time! – how do you do that?!). And you always remind me how much everything that we do for the people in our lives, and how dearly those golden hours we spend with them, live on in their hearts, too – often rippling out to touch other people in their lives. Here is something else that you yourself often remind me of, dear Susan: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Now I’m ready to polish the silver and to oil my wooden bowl (thank you again!)
xoxoxo Christie
Love love love Christie!
As I used to say in the 60s:
“A-long-long Yong-o-u Nong-e-e-dong I-song Long-o-vong-e!”
(My mother taught her children a secret language, too.) 😀
Susan… Your home is wonderful. I love this post. I can see you in the antique and thrift stores finding the things that speak to you; bringing them home and making them part of something so special. It’s one of my favorite things to do. We know the napkins go on the left, but we can mix that up too, right? I looked for my name on the cork place cards 🙂 Swooning over the 70’s pottery!! Oh, and it makes me happy to see brass candlesticks. I’m loving brass now. I’m going to look again at all the pretties! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your house!
Susan, I too think that cooking is only secondary to table-setting. I’ve been tablescaping our dining room table for years (originally to prevent my husband from using it as a second desk) and have been taking pictures whenever I think of it. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I just re-set the table and all is well! You are such a balm for my soul, Susan! Thank you for all that you do and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
You too Jane, thank you!
Susan, your blog posts are truly an “earlier heaven.” Thank you for living life with a flourish and sharing those images with us.
Awww, Joey Hall. I have always had Thanksgiving down, except for the gravy.
Some years too little, some years too thin, too lumpy, and sometimes perfect.
This is the way it went for 30 some years and then I discovered Susan’s
secret ingredient in the Autumn book a few years ago and gravy trauma is
gone. I do it all the night before and on Thanksgiving, I just take the gravy
out of the fridge, add the new drippings from the turkey, heat it up and take it
to the table. Always perfect. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Perfection! The secret weapon! xoxo
There are so many wonderful things about this post that I don’t even know where to start! All of us girlfriends always LOVE to see photos of your home and what you are doing with it and how you are decorating it—-I think we do this with everyone’s homes? I love to go to a new town and drive down the streets that have the old homes and wonder who has lived there and yearn to go in and “look” around and see what it is like. We had our first snowstorm of the season yesterday so it is beautiful outside our windows today as we snug-up inside. I am enjoying getting ready for Thanksgiving company and grandchildren. Have a wonderful Holiday. Thanks for all the magic you impart to us. It gives us motivation to do the same in our own little corner of the world.
Good Sunday Morning from the west side of our Nation in northern north CA. where beauty surrounds us in lakes, and mountains, rivers, waterfalls, deer, bear, coyotes and an array of wild birds.
Thank you for the nice message and pictures of your beautiful home. I’m not and never have been a Black Friday shopper. Don’t see the sense in it really. I think I did it once and said never again. I like my surroundings to be calmer and more in control. At least the man made surroundings. I can stand natures furor and rage but put a passel of people together and low prices and I’ll exit the door.
Anyway before I ramble on, have a wonderful day of thanksgiving and many blessings for good health and love. Glad we’re girlfriends. Bless you.
Ah spell checker, always good for a laugh. I love your living room, just gorgeous.
Love love love it all. On holidays, I do prefer a less cluttered table, to have lots of room for the food!
Susan, you always manage to put things into a wonderful perspective!! And your home is so cozy and inviting. I too, love I set the table. Much more fun than cooking!! Thank you again for your positive spin and your wonderful blog! Have a lovely Thanksgiving!! Lee
Good morning, Sue! What a treat to find a new post on your blog! I needed a little break from all the prep we are doing for Thanksgiving! Charlie is out raking up the last bunch of pine needles that were blown down last weekend so I thought I should just peek at my email and there was your ‘new blog post’ alert!
I have been thinking about our table for Thanksgiving. We will have 12 this year which means we need to schlep out the larger table top Charlie made to fit over our 6 seater dining table. I have linens…glassware…and, enough dishes to open a restaurant! I’m always changing my mind about how to dress the table. It will come together nicely, I’m sure….but it’s always 11th hour here!!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Sue! Love and hugs to you and Joe! xoxoxo peg
Give that beautiful stove a good workout Peg!! Happy Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Everything in your home is so beautiful and cozy. Love the small table in front of the fire! All perfect I would say.
Some people see only the “big picture”, others see the small details. You give us so much pleasure by pointing out the details & taking the time to make your (our) world a prettier place. Love the last photo of your home in ‘the olden days’ & bet that housewife would love to see how closely YOUR decor matches HERS!
OH! BTW since you are going to be in Seattle for your book tour *yay*…please take the 1/2 hour ferry ride across Puget Sound (cheapest boat ride one can take if you walk on) to Bainbridge Island and Eagle Harbor Books for a book-sigh-ning…you’ll find a lot of us girlfriends on THIS side of the water too waiting in line to say hi & give hugs!
Susan, you are always inspiring me to get up and do something creative! Thank you for all that you paint, write, photograph, and tell all of us to keep us going!
loved the “tablecloth” before I read that it was an old bedspread – now I’m going to pay more attention to old bedspreads!
I absolutely love getting updates to your blog! It is so nice to “get away” for a moment and read and view all the lovely things you have to share with us. Thank for the “happy” that you send to us! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
loved the red and white tablecloth before I found out it was an old bedspread – now I’m going to be looking more carefully at old bedspreads!
There are some very pretty ones out there! I have a white one I use all the time. Looks beautiful, doesn’t require ironing, goes in the washer and dryer!
Just a beautiful post!!! Happy Thanksgiving Susan, Joe, GK, & Jack!🦃🦃🦃
Hello Susan…..just love your blog this morning….as always! Love all your beautiful pics of the tables and decorating you do. It really is inspiring!! It’s sunny and a bit chilly at night in Calif. A beautiful fall day today!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! A day to be thankful for good health, happiness, friends and family. Loretta/Calif.
You are such an inspiration! My soul brightens and lightens up with smiles. I want to hug everyone and then sit at my art table with pen and brush and create happy illustrations. Will create placecards today for Thanksgiving feast with my daughter’s family and my two Grandsons. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you!
Happy thanksgiving. Thanks for inspiring me with a beautiful table setting. I do enjoy a sense of beauty while sharing with my loved ones. Totally enjoy how you share where you live, love that part of our great country. So many incredible places to see and experience in the USA. God bless America! Can’t wait to see what you do for Christmas!
Thanks for the useful tips.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
i wish i could just hug you so good. i am a firm believer in santa and i am probably old enough to be his mother. okay….maybe not his mother. i already had my first santa sighting and i waved and blew him a kiss. i find them ALL over the place and do the very same thing. every time. i still sit on his knee if given the chance. i figure i am related…my maiden name is clawson. in scandinavian that means that the first one with this name was the son of claws…claus. so i am a direct descendant, i figure. this is the time for magic and the best part of the magic is to keep it in our hearts all year long. many thanksgiving blessings to you and joe and all the babies at your house…you bring such light and goodness to so many in the world and i hope that you receive just a modicum of it back.
You have the exact same logical mind as I do!!! You are son of Claus! Ish. 🙂
I so enjoy receiving your blog–it always lifts my spirits, seeing your beautiful home and the stunning scenery of Martha’s Vineyard. You have given me many helpful tips for creating a pretty table and a welcoming atmosphere for friends and family. Keep up the good work! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
Susan, Thank you bunny bunches for this wonderful glimpse of table loveliness. So beautiful and inspiring. You know just what the girlfriends need to know and see. Happy Thanksgiving to all. My new puppy is in her crate, she cried, I cried. But I must get her use to it before 20 guests arrive for Thanksgiving. She needs a safe place so that she is not stepped on. Rest assured, I do not know if I will ever make her get in it after Thanksgiving is over.
Much love and bunny hugs, Shirley and Katie, the new English Springer puppy
Ohhh so fun with Katie! xoxo
I love cold milk!!!! I didn’t as a child but with a bowl of vegetable soup, yum.
It’s so exciting when Willard comes!!!
Thank you Susan! Yours is the only blog I read….are we related??? You seem to believe in so many of the same things I do! I love making my tables beautiful with books or sewing items or whatever I happen to want to show off. One year I decorated for Thanksgiving with all my tinware and leaves and squashes. It was so fun! You have such a beautiful spirit. We are all grateful you are here to remind us of the good things. Love and happiness for the season
I have always loved your Art Susan. Always. A co-worker who read and devoured all your blogs had cancer since 2012. I did not start working with her till 2014. By then, she was fighting cancer over and over, but never let on. Sue was Gods angel, and she felt Jesus had her then and now. She passed in early June and in reviewing her emails for work, I found your blog. I had no idea you had one, and as I subscribed, I realized that Sue and I never had an opportunity to share with each other the love we had for all that you do. She commented and emailed with a member of your staff and as I read this absolutely heartwarming blog today, I feel my inclined to go outside and work to get my house in festive order. We work with foster youths at a community college and I plan on festive food and tables in this next week to bring at least a little of what you have shown us into their lives. We have a lounge and i promised them crockpot treats this next week, as well as veggies and sweets. I read your blog and all the comments and know a little planning will make it special. I am decorating tons for Christmas!
As home, I volunteer with a cat group and seem to have brought ring-worm home by me or our new little kitten. He is a black and white to go with my two whites. We are heading out of our 3rd week, and i am hoping the worst is over, so I can do some decorating at home. The spores of ringworm live on, so i need to be careful of things I cannot wash.
Wish I could wash it all away with salt and baking powder… I will re-read this every day for the words and pictures…….
🍁🍂🍁 ~ Happy Thanksgiving Susan & Joe ~ 🍁🍂🍁
Thank you for always reminding me of the simple things in life to be grateful for.
Have a wonderful holiday! 🏡
What a wonderful post! Thank you!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that one of your tables had my mother’s china on it, china that I use every year! It’s the Alfred Meakin from Englamd, with the yellow, burgundy ad purple flowers and a couple of butterflies. Love it. Will think of you, too, now when Imuse it.
O Susan I LOVED this blog post! I think its my favourite! (I think I say that every time though! He he)
Anyway I love your table settings I have to take in every little detail in case I miss something! I particularly like to see what you use as candle holders. I have started a new little venture making candles in Vintage glass pieces & china teacups with saucers that I pick up from charity shops & car boot sales, I’m doing ok but the hard part is not keeping them all myself!
whilst on the subject of tableware I have to say to our other girlfriend’s who are going to try your tip on cleaning silverware do it! I tried it a while back with my silver teaspoons and I couldn’t believe how fabulous they looked after!
So big thank you for that tip Susan!
I cannot wait for MV Isle of dreams I so loved the fairy tale girl!
Anyway just wanted to say my sister & I are so excited for the byo picnic in Stourhead in September! hopefully there will be lots of English girlfriends there that we have yet to meet in person but are fast becoming dear friends to us!
Well Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours Susan! Take care. xxxx
I can’t wait either and now that you’re coming, I can’t wait even MORE!
Aww bless you! xx
Thank you for the ideas.
Oh my!! I was so happy to see Home For Christmas in your stack of books that I had to write before finishing the post! I love, love, love that book; I was so sad two years ago because I thought I had lost my copy, and then found it last year (I had never put it away after Christmas; it was hiding out between Anne of Green Gables and Little Women in the living room). So nice to see all of your tables, as I also photograph mine before people sit for dinner!
Don’t you love it when you think you’ve lost something but then it comes back to you!!!? Always seems like a minor miracle to me!
As usual I love and am inspired by your blog. I too really enjoy setting a pretty table and look forward to what I may create. It will just be my husband and myself as our sons need to go to their wives families. At first that would make me sad but now that I’ve grown up more I love fussing for us.
Happy thankful day…we are all so blessed
Thank you for a wonderful post. I am currently battling a cold and feel miserable but your photos and words brought me some comfort for a bit! I loved drooling over all your table settings. It’s times like that I wish I had a bigger home to house all those lovely dishes, and have dinner parties. But I get my fix of loveliness thru your posts!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe!!
I love small houses. We’d have a much smaller house if it wasn’t for my gentle giant, Joe…he needs space! Feel better Cindy!
Love this blog, Susan. Really a treat for the eyes. After seeing the latest S.C. Johnston tv ad with its flashback to earlier Thanksgivings (and of course their products from the era), and the passage from one generation to another of their beloved wax Pilgrim boy and girl figures, I set out on a mission to locate my very own set of wax Pilgrims. After tearing the lower china cupboard apart, I located them, along with another set that belonged to my mother. I also discovered two sets of wax Indian boys and turkeys. What memories! One set of Pilgrims and Indian boy with turkey has been sent to my daughter-in-law to use and pass on to my granddaughter. Hopefully, one day she will have her own flashback of receiving these little remembrances of Thanksgivings past. Have a blessed holiday, Susan and Joe.
HOW are you able to have flowers all over your house??! We have 4 spoiled cats who LOVE to knock-over vases of flowers and they will EAT roses and tulips and let’s not even TALK about what they do to baby’s breath and ferns! I have pretty much had to give-up flowers except in bedrooms where we close the doors. They even get up on the kitchen island to get at flowers!
As always, LOVE your blog, books and EVERYTHING!!
I don’t know . . . Jack tried to get after them when he was young, but I just said NO firmly, and now he’s either lost interest, or he heard me, I don’t know which. But they don’t seem to care about them anymore. Cats are all so different!
What a wonderful surprise, I’d been saving my Willard to read when I wouldn’t be disturbed and then I saw your new entry :):):) You do such a wonderful job with your website & Willard. I’m checking on your closest location to the Ontario border, I’d love to see you in person. I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did I do believe that would be on it. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
It’s dark outside when your post arived in my mailbox.
Love the pictures of your table settings with the candles and the flowers.
In wintertime I’ve always candles lit when it is dark and grey outside–love the light of the candles and the flickering of their flames.
Thanks Susan for the tips of the place cards -do like the leafe with the name written on it.
Today it was here very cold weather with snow and hale and a lot of Sunshine in between. To cold for a stroll so I made several Christmas cards.
Thanks again for a beatiful post Susan.
greetings,Trudy from the Netherlands
Always love hearing from you Trudy. xoxo
Dear Susan,
You are SO correct about the craziness of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving!
Yesterday I ordered your “A fine Romance” for my sister Donna’s birthday. The only way to do it as she was not giving me my copy back! And I pre-ordered your new book.
Thank you for all the sweet Thanksgiving tablescape tips and Thanksgiving wishes! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe … kitties, too!
Kind regards,
E.
Thank you for your cheerful, uplifting messages, Susan! And thank you for sharing photos of your delightful, comforting home. I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
I wish I had just an ounce of your energy, enthusiasm, talent and expertise! xoxo
I know you Ann Jane and you have WAAAAY more than an ounce of all those things.
You are too kind! I have to make a comment, while I have your attention and hopefully some girlfriends will see this. When I first made a comment, there were 63 responses to your blog…..that was yesterday. This morning, I, of course, tuned in to see if you had responded to mine (which you know we all love!…….) and there are almost 400 blog responses – so, of course, I have to peruse all of them and, what I love is the individual conversations that come out of some of these comments….like we really do know each other! That is what you do, Susan Branch! Yes, it’s your talent, paintings, pictures, kitties, dishes, home, etc. etc. that we love, but you are the epitome of “loving what you do”! You didn’t sit down one day and say “how can I make a living”……….you just incorporated all that you love to do into a business……..and, with this blog, you make so many of us, your girlfriends (not “fans”, not “clientele or customers”)……. but GIRLFRIENDS love you back! You make us happy! xoxo
Yes, Girlfriends! Even before the blog, back when I wrote books all by myself, before YOU, I even called you Girlfriends then! I always knew. xoxo
Thanks so much for giving some of us a second chance to sign up for the giveaway. I am not sure what happened to my Willard, but thanks for including the link to it too. Things have been a bit harum scarum around our farm lately, so maybe I just completely missed it. I have been totally absorbed in compiling the research for my book. All the flooding in South Carolina has caused a delay in getting photographs of some of the old cemeteries here. Then as soon as we got back to our farm from the coast, Daisy (our 11 year-old, 55 lb. mix) had to have last minute surgery. Everything is fine, her stitches were removed this past Thursday and the biopsy of the cyst removed was benign, so we have an extra something to be thankful for this year. Thanks Susan for all the photographs of your beautiful home. I want my home to look just like it. Everything about it speaks so softly and quietly of comfort and hominess. Your “naked” living room looks as if it is draped in snow. I am on Chapter Eleven of The Fairy Tale Girl. Although many parts are quite sad and it hurts to think that you had to endure that much pain, but it brought you to where you are now and to Joe. If all of it had not happened, you might not have moved to Martha’s Vineyard. I cannot wait for Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams. And, I am not sure if I had ever heard about Martha’s Vineyard until I found your books. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe, Girl Kitty, and Jack.
I needed to be sad so I could find out how to be happy. It’s all the way it needed to be for me. So Happy to hear about Daisy!
When I was in school my friends and I spoke “elf” language! Just substitute “elf” for “arf”! I had to laugh when you mentioned your secret language. Oh, memories!
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan!
I collect red and white striped and polka dot dishes that I admire in a floor to ceiling cabinet in my tiny cottage. Every time a read your blog or Willard I am reminded to just enjoy what I love and what makes me happy…I am taking dishes up to set a table at my 94 year old mother’s home this year because I never get to use my thanksgiving dishes as we are trying to keep her involved as long as possible. It is our turn to serve her. Thanks for being such an incredible example of beauty, thanksgiving, and holiday spirit. Happy Holidays! ( I am sure you don’t remember but several years ago I sent you a piece of cross-stitch to thanks you for …well, just being such a positive example). My dream is a month in Martha’s Vineyard..you are SO lucky!
Thanks for the wonderful post today! Always a pleasant surprise to find and read. I get wonderful ideas for decorating, cooking, and enjoying the little things in life. It’s nice to escape to a happy place in a world that has gone mad. There are so many wonderful nice people out there and it’s great that you remind us of that fact. Love is stronger than hate, and evil never has the last word. Thanks Susan!!
Susan~
Thank you so much for a blog post that soothed my soul, as usual. I used to have a couple of shops that I would go to and listen to their soothing music playing and let the lovely things just calm me. Now, as my husband’s health fails, and he doesn’t care to be left alone, I find that your blog and Willard soothe me like the stores, but even better, you provide inspiration and comfort to me. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
I so enjoy the days I get your e-mails. It’s like the sun comes out! Loved your table settings. I’m hoping to have a tea for my neighbors. Never thought about using my old books for a table setting. I decorate with them, but never the table. Several of my neighbors have lost husbands lately and I want to help them through this special season. Thanks for making me smile. God Bless You!!!
I never have understood the draw of Black Friday. It’s one day that I schedule myself to NOT go shopping!
Thank you Sue — what a treat! I love your table photos and ideas. Your giving and sharing are always inspiring to me.
❤️
Happy Sunday to you and yours. We here in NE IOWA are all snow and cold this sunny Sunday. Football on for him and a quilt to sew on for me. I have to say that I recently started reading your blog and truly love it . Have “read” your calendars and stationary for many years. Thank You. I have ordered and received your books. Loved those too. Made me want to visit the “old” country. Thank you for sharing your talent and life with us.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all.
Thanks for the inspiration as always! Will be mounting nametags on giant pine cones, lighting the candle underneath my metal Eiffel Tower votive to honor the French, doing Thanksgiving Trivia and a Yankee Swap. Oh, eating too! 🙂
What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon with a nice cup of pumpkin tea and your inspiring blog. I always love spending time in your cozy home. So inviting. Wishing you and family a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! I so agree with you about Black Friday. It’s a great day to stay home and visit or watch a movie. I really enjoy your blog and photos of your lovely home as well as the outside photos of your garden, walk, beach, town.
What a delightful way to spend a little while with you today!!!
I wish that I could send you a picture of my yard right now, it looks like the perfect Thanksgiving Card….and song…over the river and through the woods….we are covered in snow about 16inches of it….I have a fire burning in the fireplace, music playing and I have spent this morning making appetizers to freeze for Thanksgiving Day. I am also beginning to get my table ready …you continue to inspire me with new ideas….
I want to take this time right now to say Thank you for all of the joy that you bring to each and everyone of us all year. AND to ask all the girlfriends to join together this Thanksgiving Day and pray for our beautiful world and that we may all someday soon have Peace on Earth…
Bless you…
xoxox
Such a pleasure reading your blog in front of my fireplace this chilly Colorado morning. I have old books stacked on the mantle with a wedding photo of my grandmother’s wedding on top of them. I like the idea of using them on the dinner table. Thanks for all the inspiration of your posted photos. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
I enjoy seeing your table settings. I grew up in what was considered middle class and my mom had a set of melmac. Her table was opened in the living room so that Grandparents, uncles and aunts could come for the holiday dinner. Each of them brought a dish. I know there was a ‘kids table’ but I was never young enough to sit with them. 🙂 I can’t remember the meat, only the mashed potatoes and gravy I loved. And Grandma’s and Auntie’s pies. 🙂
This year daughter is hosting her dad and I. The holiday still hurts a little for me since son died, though it has been 5 yrs. We have no other family here in TX. But we are blessed.
XOXO to all of you.
Dear Susan, your home is so lovely all ready for the holidays. We’ve been busy cleaning windows, raking leaves, shining silverware and moving china cabinets. I love feathering my nest! Thank you for all the joy you bring to me and all the girlfriends I have “met” through you! xoxo ♥
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE your blog. I can spend 15 minutes devouring each picture, in each post. This time I am dreaming of how I can set my table for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners this year. I’ve only made place cards once, but think I will do it again this year just for fun. I think “playing house” is my favorite part of the holidays. God bless you for sharing your passion and talent.
Your giveaway contests are so wonderful and generous. Thank you…… 🙂